Cooling System; Checking The Coolant Level - KTM 2006 660 SMC Owner's Manual

MAINTENANCE WORK ON CHASSIS AND ENGINE
2
1
10 mm
bei kaltem Motor
when engine is cold
a motore freddo
moteur froid
motor en fria

Cooling system

Coolant is circulated by a water pump located in the engine. When the engine
is cold the coolant circulates only through the cylinder and the cylinder head.
After the engine has reached its operating temperature (about 70°C, 158°F),
the thermostat [1] opens and the coolant is also pumped through both alu-
minum radiators.
Air blowing in through the radiators cools the cooling liquid. The slower the
speed of the motorcycle, the less the cooling liquid is cooled down. Dirty radi-
ator fins also reduce the cooling efficiency.
If little or no air blows through the radiators, for example when riding through
slow traffic or waiting at traffic lights, the coolant temperature will rise. If the
coolant temperature rises to 98° C (208°F), the fan [2] on the left radiator
will switch on. This fan will provide additional air circulation through the radi-
ator thereby preventing the cooling system from overheating.
Pressure induced by heating of the coolant in the system is controlled by a
valve in the radiator cap [3]; a water temperature rising up to 120° C
(248° F) is admissible, without fear of problems.
– IF POSSIBLE, ALWAYS CHECK LEVEL OF COOLING LIQUID WHEN ENGINE IS
COLD. IF YOU HAVE TO OPEN THE RADIATOR CAP [3] WHEN THE ENGINE IS
HOT, USE A RAG TO COVER THE CAP AND OPEN SLOWLY TO RELEASE PRES-
SURE. CAUTION – SCALDING HAZARD !
– DO NOT DETACH ANY RADIATOR HOSES WHILE THE ENGINE IS HOT. THE
ESCAPING HOT COOLANT AND THE STEAM MAY CAUSE SERIOUS BURNS.
– IN CASE YOU GET BURNT, HOLD THE AFFECTED PART OF YOUR BODY UNDER
RUNNING COLD WATER RIGHT AWAY!
– COOLANT IS TOXIC. KEEP THE COOLANT OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN!
– IN CASE COOLANT IS INGESTED, GO SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY!
– IF COOLANT GETS INTO YOUR EYES, RINSE THEM OUT WITH WATER IMMEDI-
ATELY AND GO SEE A DOCTOR!
IF COOLING LIQUID ESCAPES THROUGH THE OVERFLOW ON THE RADIATOR WHILE
DRIVING, YOUR ENGINE IS OVERHEATED. STOP IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT ENGINE
DAMAGE.
POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR OVERHEATING INCLUDE:
– SLOW DRIVING AND HEAVY LOAD AT A HIGH AIR TEMPERATURE:
3
INCREASE YOUR DRIVING SPEED IF POSSIBLE TO ALLOW WIND TO COOL THE
RADIATOR. IF THE CONDITION DOES NOT IMPROVE AFTER 300 METERS, STOP
IMMEDIATELY, SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE AND CHECK FOR OTHER CAUSES.
– NOT ENOUGH COOLING LIQUID IN THE SYSTEM:
STOP IMMEDIATELY. ALLOW THE ENGINE TO COOL OFF AND CHECK THE SYS-
TEM FOR LEAKS. ALSO CHECK THE COOLING LIQUID LEVEL, CAREFUL – RISK
OF SCALDING!
ONLY CONTINUE DRIVING IF THERE IS ENOUGH LIQUID IN THE SYSTEM. STOP
AT AN AUTHORIZED KTM WORKSHOP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO HAVE THE
DEFECT ELIMINATED. CONTINUING TO DRIVE WILL LEAD TO ENGINE DAMAGE.
– THE FAN IN THE LEFT RADIATOR IS NOT RUNNING:
THE FAN SHOULD RUN FROM A COOLING LIQUID TEMPERATURE OF 98°C (208°F)
WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. IF THE FAN IS NOT RUNNING AND YOU
HAVE ENOUGH COOLING LIQUID, YOU CAN CONTINUE TO DRIVE TO THE NEAR-
EST AUTHORIZED KTM WORKSHOP, KEEPING THE ENGINE LOAD TO A
MINIMUM.
– RIDING THE CLUTCH AT LOWER SPEEDS.
A mixture of 50% anti freeze liquid and 50% distilled water is used as coolant.
However, the anti-freeze protection must be at least -25° C (-13° F). This mix-
ture offers anti-freeze protection but also good corrosion protection and should
therefore not be replaced by pure water.
FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM, USE ONLY WITH HIGH-GRADE ANTIFREEZE (MOTOREX
ANTI-FREEZE). USING LOWER-GRADE ANTIFREEZE AGENTS, CAN CAUSE CORRO-
SION AND COOLANT FOAMING.

Checking the coolant level

The coolant should be 10 mm (0,4 in) above the radiator fins when the engine
is cold (see illustr.). In the event of the coolant being drained, always fill and
bleed the system.
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